why does salt melt ice, and also why....?

Question

does it bring the flavor out in food so well.

Answer 1

Salt doesn't really "melt" ice, but when salt comes in contact with the ice it lowers the freezing point of the ice/water in which its mixed. So, it touches a little ice, that ice becomes salted water, which then spreads out and spreads the salt solution around the local ice area. So it stops working when there isn't enough salt concentration to lower the freezing temp of the mix, or when the temps drop below that freezing point.

You can test this by taking two cups of water, mixing a teaspoon of salt in one, and putting them both in the freezer. You'll find one freezer much faster than the other.

As far as why does salt affect the taste? I think it is the sodium content which releases essential oils in spices, and somehow acts as a catalyst with the electrolytes in your saliva. But much more than that I don't know. :)

Answer 2

Salt doesn't direct melt ice. What it does is that when the ice does melt, it keeps the freezing temperature lower. For example, fresh water, or ice, has a freezing temperature of 0 degrees Celsius, or 32 Fahrenheit. Table salt lowers it to a practical temperature of about -9 Celsius, or 15 Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that table salt is not used to melt ice, rather, other chemicals are used. They lower the freezing point from -7 Celsius (15 Fahrenheit) to -29 Celsius (-20 Fahrenheit).

As to how salt brings out flavor, I believe the mechanism is much like MSG, or monosodium glutamate, that additive that people complain about when they go to a Chinese restaurant. Basically, it stimulates certain receptors on the taste buds. This stimulation makes the tongue more sensitive to certain flavors.